Finance Minister P Chidambaram has proposed a hike in India's health budget by over 28 per cent in 2013-14 to Rs 37,330 crore, against Rs 25,927 crore announced last year.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday proposed a hike in India's health budget by over 28 per cent in 2013-14 to Rs 37,330 crore (Rs 373 million), with special focus on medical education, training and research.

The finance minister in his Budget speech in the Lok Sabha said the new National Health Mission that combines the rural mission and the proposed urban mission would get Rs 21,239 crore (Rs 212 million), a hike of 24.3 per cent over the revised estimates.

While the rural mission aims to provide better health facilities to people living in remote places, the proposed urban mission plans to provide health amenities to those in shanties in cities and towns.

Last year's budget was Rs 25,927 crore (Rs 259 million).

Making the announcement, Chidambaram said the focus of the government was "health for all". "I propose to provide Rs 4,727 crore (Rs 42 billion) for medical education, training and research," the minister said.

Chidambaram said the national programme for the healthcare of the elderly was being implemented in 100 select districts of 21 states.

"Eight regional geriatric centers are being funded for the development of dedicated geriatric departments. I propose to provide Rs 150 crore (1.5 billion) for this programme," he added.

The minister said the government would mainstream the department of AYUSH - Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Sidddha and Homoeopathy - through the national health mission.

"I propose to allocate Rs 1,069 crore (10 billion) to the department of AYUSH," he added. The department is under the health ministry.

The minister said six All India Institute of Medical Sciences-like institutions had admitted their first batch of students in the academic session that commenced September 2012.